Multiple sash window operating mechanism



July 17, 1956 F. F. BEIL MULTIPLE SASH WINDOW OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Nov; 2. 1953 2 Sheets-Shes?. l

July 17, 1956 F. F. aan.

MULTIPLE SASH WINDOW OPERATING MECHANISM med nov. 2. 1953 2 Sheets-*Sheet 2 United States Patent O MULTIPLE SASH WINDGW OPERATING MECHANISM Forrest F. Beil, Clinton, Iowa, assignor to Curtis Comvames Incorporated, Clinton, Iowa, a corporation of owa Application November 2, 1953, Serial No. 389,580

6 Claims. (Cl. 20-42) This invention relates to an improved multiple sash window operating mechanism which can be selectively adJusted to operate in universal fashion to open and close the control and controlled sashes to any respective positions or, in the other adjustment, to limit the extent of motion of the control sashes in relation to the controlled sashes.

In the multiple window operating mechanism described and claimed in Ralph Wrighttields patent application entitled Multiple Sash Window Operating Mechanism, Serial No. 373,196, led August 10, 1953, the opening and closing of one or more controlled sashes is etfected by manipulation of oneI or more control sashes. The former sashes are connected to a longitudinally movable operating bar and the latter sashes are connected to a rider which moves on that bar. Engagement and disengagement between the rider and the bar to effect motions of the sash singly or in unison is controlled by a stepped or reversed motion of the control sashes which actuates a tumbler mechanism in the rider, all as fully explained in the Wrighteld application.

In some window installations it is desirable to arrange the control mechanism so that the extent of controlled sash movement with respect to the control sashes is limited. Thus, for example, it may be desirable to have the controlled sashes opened at all times to at least the extent of opening of the control sash. Also, with some multiple window sash operating mechanisms, it is necessary to provide lost motion means to permit pickup of the controlled sash from the closed position.

In the apparatus of the present invention a removable stop member is provided which picks up the controlled t sashes independently of the tumbler mechanism. With the stop member in place, the rider engages the same to move the bar as the rider is moved in one direction, even though the rider has not otherwise engaged the bar. Thus the motion of the rider along the bar in one direction is limited and the controlled sashes necessarily assumeat least the extent of opening associated with the stop-engaging position of the rider. Also, the stop can be posi- Vtioned to pick up the controlled sashes upon opening of the control sash without any lost motion, thereby making it unnecessary to provide for lost motion for the purpose of picking up the controlled sashes.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple sash window operating mechanism which can be selectively conditioned for operation in universal fashion to achieve any relative positions f the sash or, if desired, can be conditioned for operation in limited fashion wherein the controlled sashes are necessarily moved when the control sash reaches a predetermined vmovement in'one direction.

A more specific object of the present invention is to ...provide a window operating mechanism of the above type yin which them'eans provided to condition the unit for one type of operation or the other does not interfere with the construction ofthe operating unit and is easily inserted in position or removed.

2,754,553 Patented July 17, 1956 ders unnecessary any lost motion mechanism to permit closure of the control sash beyond the normally closed posltion.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective of a multiple sash window of the type to which the present invention is applicable;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the operating mechanism of the window of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary exploded view of the operating mechanism of the window of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View through axis 4-4, Figure 2, showing the mechanism arranged for universal control operation;

Figures 5 and 6 are views like Figure 4 but showing the mechanism arranged for limited operation, Figure 5 showing the sash-opening condition and Figure 6 showing the sash-closing operation; and

Figures 7 and 8 are views like Figures 5 and 6 but showing an alternative form of the structure.

Referring now to Figure l, the window frame is indicated generally at 20. This frame comprises a sill 20a, a top frame member 2Gb, and a pair of side frame members 20c. These frame members are mounted in a suitable opening provided inthe walls W of the building structure. The window includes a lowermost sash 22, which constitutes the control sash. By its opening and closing movements, hereafter described in detail, this control sash opens and closes the other sash. Above and aligned with the control sash are a pair of controlled sashes 24. Each of the sashes 22 and 24 is movably secured to the frame 20 by a pair of arms 26. As shown, these arms are pivotally secured to brackets 27 which bridge the sash operating bars 30. The opposite end of each arm 26 is pivotally secured to the side stile of each sash at pivot point 26a.

The control sash 22 is opened and closed by extending and retracting movements of the arm 34b. This imparts up and down movements to the rider 28. This rider embraces and slides upon the vertical operating bar 30 and vis thus constrained to vertical up and down movements in the vertical groove 20d, Figure 2, formed in each of the side frame members 20b. The operating connection between the rider 28 and the control sash 22 is dened by the arms 22a, Figure 2, which are attached to the upper corner of the sash 22 and extend upwardly and rearwardly to receive the pin 28a of the rider 28. As is shown in Figures 4-6, the pin 28a has a horizonal orientation and the arms 22a seat thereover. The snap rings 32 secure the arms 22a in place.

Opening andv closing motions are imparted to the control sash 22 by the crank mechanism (not shown) which extends or retracts the arm 34b. This mechanism may be any one of many constructions known to'the art. The end of the chain is attached to the bottom stile 22b of the sash 22 so as -to move the stile outwardlyV or inwardly in accordance with rotations of the crank. vThe sash 22 is freeto swing to opened position since the arms v26 can rock and the rider 28 can shift vertically.

'sashes 24 are opened and closed by longitudinal rising or 3 descending motions of the bar 30 which shifts the pins 30a up and down to thus open and close the sash.

The controlled sashes 24 have stub arms 24a extending upwardly and rearwardly from their top corners. As shown in Figure 2, each of these arms has an opening which receives one of the pins 30a which extends horizontally from the vertical operating bar 3i). The pins 30a are so located as to anchor the sashes 24 in parallel relationship to each other or so nearly so that suitable adjusting mechanism in the units 27 will take up the error. When the operating bars 30 are pulled downwardly, as hereinafter described, the pins 30a, Figure 2, descend and the sashes 24 open.

As is further described in detail hereafter, the rider 28 is releasably connected to the operating bar 30 by movements of the control sash 22. These movements permit the user to pick up or release the controlled sashes as desired and thereby permit adjustment of the window to any desired degree of opening of the control sash and any desired degree of opening of the controlled sashes. Alternatively, in accordance with the present invention the available movement may be more limited so that the controlled sashes are always open to a greater extent than the control sash or vice versa.

The rider 28 is shown in exploded view in Figure 3. It consists of a channel-shaped backplate 28h with protruding ears 28e which are received in the apertures 28d of the cover 23e. The ears 23e are peened or bent over, as shown in Figure 2, to secure these two plates in assembled relation. The plate ZSf is sandwiched between the backplate 28h and the cover 28e and has apertures 28g which receive the base portions of the ears 28e. The intermediate plate 28f is of channel shape and its side portions 28h seat against the cover plate 28e to form a tight unitary structure in which the spacing between plates 2Sf and 23e is fixed by the depth of the sides 28h of plate 28jc and the space between the web portion of the channel-shaped backpiate 2819 and the intermediate plate 2S)c is determined by the length of the side flanges 28j of the backplate 23h.

The intermediate plate 28) has a window 28k with a pair of apertured protruding ears ZSI on each side thereof and extending towards the cover 23e. A tumbler 28m has outwardly extending trunnion portions 2811 which are received between the respective ears 231.

A leaf spring 280 is sandwiched between the cover 28e and the intermediate plate 281i. This leaf spring has an arcuate portion 28p which seats against and extends partially about the rear face of the tumbler 28m. The spring pressure exerted by the spring 280 against the tumbler 28111 permits the tumbler to retract in accordance with the indentations of the operating bar and thus to bear against the surface of that bar at all times while at the same time preventing unlimited downward tilt of the tumbler. The spring opposition to down tilt of the tumbler is such as to assure a seating engagement of the tumbler against the lower shoulder 301, as shown in Figure 4.

The operating bar 30 is of channel shape with an indented web portion 30h, Figure 3, defining a track in which the tumbler 23m rides. The side or flange portions 30e of the operating bar 30 are of such depth as to fit .snugly but slideably within the rider 28.

Each operating bar 30 has a pair of spaced windows 30d formed in the web portion 30b and separated by an intermediate indented web portion 30e. The latter has sloping surfaces 30j which form shoulders against which the tumbler 28m can seat, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

As shown in Figure 2, the pins 30a are mounted in the web portion 30b of the control bar 30.

In accordance with the present invention a stop member is removably received by the operating bar 30 and acts to limit the movement of the rider 28 in one direction along the bar. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 3, this stop member consists of a threaded pin 31 having a threaded end portion 31a, which is threadedly received in the opening 30g of the web part 30b of the operating bar 30.

It will be noted that the pin 31 can be removed as desired by the user. It is accessible from the side of the window as shown in Figure 2 and thus can be removed or put in position without disassembling the window.

Practical operation With stop pin 31 removed: When the sashes are in the initially closed positions and the crank is turned to tilt the lower or control sash 22 in the opening direction, the rider 28 descends, as shown in Figure 4. If the sashes were initially closed in unison, the tumbler 28m will have an upward tilt so that the rider 28 descends freely without causing seating engagement of the tumbler 28:11 and either of the shoulders Stif. Thus the tumbler rides over the lower shoulder Silf into the lower window 39d and thereafter rides in the web 30b of the control bar. Consequently, the lower sash may be opened singly and without picking up the upper sashes.

If it is thereafter desired to pick up the upper or controlled sashes and to open all sashes in unison, the operator can turn the crank to close sash 22 from any position after the tumbler 28m has passed the lower window 39d. The closing motion will not move the upper sashes since the tumbler 28m rides against the face of the web 38h until the lower window 30d is reached, at which time the tumbler lits into the window and tips downwardly. Eventually, the position of Figure 4 is reached where the tumbler seats against the lower shoulder 30j. The operator is advised that the Figure 4 position is reached by the audible click of the tumbler as it snaps into the identation 39e in response to pressure of the spring 280.

From the position of Figure 4 the control sash may be opened further. Since the tumbler- 28m is now seated against the lower shoulder 3W, the rider ZS-as it descends in response to opening movement of the control sash 22 pushes downwardly on the operating bar 30. The operating bar thus moves in unison with the rider 28 and all the sashes open in unison.

From the position of Figure 4, the control sash may be closed as desired and individually so closed, since the tumbler 28m is tilted downwardly and thus does not engage either of the shoulders 301 lf it is desired to open the control sash to a greater extent than the controlled sashes 24, the control sash 22 is closed until the tumbler 28m rides into the upper window 30d. The operator can ascertain this condition by the audible click that occurs when the spring 28o forces the tumbler 25m into this window. The control sash 22 may then be opened by appropriate rotation of the crank. The tumbler rides over the shoulders 30j and thus permits opening of the lower sash to any degree desired without altering the opened positions of the controlled sashes 24.

The sashes may be closed in unison by closing the control sash 22 until the tumbler extends into the upper window 30d. Opening movement of the control sash 22 from this position causes the tumbler 28m to tilt to the uptilted position and to snap against the upper shoulder 30f. The audible snap advises the operator that the tumbler is seated against the shoulder. Closure of the control sash, with the incident upward movement of the rider 28, simultaneously shifts the operating bar 30 in the upward direction because of the engagement of tumbler 28m with the upper shoulder 30j.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the lower sash 22 may be opened and closed directly by the operation of operating handle (not shown) but connected to arm 34b. If it is desired to pick up the upper sashes for opening or closing movements in unison with the lower sash 22, this may be done by executing reversed movement, unless of course, the tumbler 28m is already conditioned to cause the sashes to operate in unison, in which event the reversed movement is unnecessary.

With stop pin 31 in place: When stop pin 31 is in place, the downward movement of the rider 28 is arrested when it engages the pin. This occurs irrespective of the position of the tumbler 28m. Thus when the lower or control sash 22 is opened, and the rider 28 accordingly moved downwardly, the condition of Figure occurs. In this position of the rider 28, further downward movement of the rider carries the control bar with it to open all the sashes in unison.

When the control sash is closed from an opened position, the tumbler 28m tumbles in the lower window 30d as it moves upwardly in relation to the control bar. Thus the control sash can be closed singly.

To close the sashes in unison, the control sash 22 is closed until the tumbler 28m snaps into the upper winits dow d, an event indicated by an audible click. The v lower sash can then be opened slightly to cause the tumbler 28m to rest against the upper shoulder 30j, as shown in Figure 6. When the lower sash is thereafter closed-giving a lifting movement to the rider 28-the tumbler 28m seats against the upper shoulder 30]c to lift the operating bar and close the sashes in unison. This closing motion can be continued to the fully closed position and closing torque applied to achieve a tight seal. A suitable lock (not shown) may be provided to hold the sashes in the tightly closed position.

Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative form of the rider 28 and the operating bar 30. The various parts of this structure are identified with the same reference numerals as are used in Figures 1 to 6 with the number 100 added. In the operating bar 130, Figure 7, the web part 13017 carries a button 138e which denes a pair of shoulders 13812 against which the tumbler 128m seats. A removable stop in the form of a hook is provided to arrest downward motion of the rider 128 when a predetermined degree of motion has been reached. This stop has a hook part 131a which is received in the lower window 130d as shown; a body part 131b which fits snugly against web 13% and extends downwardly from window 130d; and an outwardly extending stop portion 131e` which projects outwardly from the Web 130b into the path of the rider 128. The stop 131 may be removed when the control sash 22 is brought to a more closed position than the controlled sashes 24 so that the rider 128 no longer overlays the stop 131.

When stop 131 is not in place, the tumbler 128m rides over the button 130e when it is tilted upwardly and the lower or control sash 22 is opened in relation to the controlled sashes. However, if the control sash is opened until the tumbler snaps over the lower shoulder 130f, then closure of the lower sash closes the sashes in unison. The control sash can be closed in relation to the controlled sashes when the tumbler 128m is tilted downwardly. Also, when the tumbler is tilted downwardly, and the control sash is closed until the tumbler snaps on the upper shoulder 1301, the control sash, when then opened further, opens the sashes in unison.

The tumbler 128m can be moved from the up-tilted position to the down-tilted position by opening the control sash until the tumbler extends into the lower Window 130d and then closing the control sash, thus causing the tumbler to extend into the window and tumble. The operator hears an audible click when the tumbler extends into the window and thus is advised when the tumble has occurred. To move the tumbler 128m from the downtilted position to the up-tilted position the operator can close the control sash in relation to the controlled sashes until the tumbler extends into the upper window 130:1', an event indicated by an audible click. Control sash opening movement thereafter will cause the rider 128 to descend and will tilt the tumbler 128m to the up-tilted position.

It will rbe observed that the operation of the unit of Figures 7 and 8 is identicalwith that of Figures 1-4 in that the sashes may be opened to any desired relative position by actuation of the control sash. However, in the unit of Figures 7 and 8 the control sash must be closed beyond the position where it applies closing torque to all sashes to pick up the controlled sashes for opening. In the unit of Figures 1-4, this is not necessary as the rider 28 is in the up-tilted position when the sashes are all closed and after torque has been exerted upon them and the lower sash is opened from this position to a more open position to tumble the tumbler for opening the controlled sashes.

When the stop 131 is in place, the rider 128 cannot move downwardly in relation to the operating bar beyond the point shown in Figure 7 where the rider engages the stop. Hence, as the control sash 22 is opened from the fully closed position, thus causing the rider 128 to descend, the rider 128 engages stop 131 after a small degree of movement and then pushes down on the operating bar 130, thus causing all sashes to open in unison. This action is independent of the position oftumbler 128m, although it will normally be in the up-tilted position at this time since that position is required to develop closing torque on the sashes during the previous sash-closing operation.

With the stop 131 in position, it is still possible to close the control sash 22 individually. This can be done by merely closing it from any position to which it has pushed the controlled sashes 24 open by engagement with the stop 128. If it is desired to close the sashes in unison, the control sash 22 is closed from the position of Figure 7 until the tumbler snaps into the upper window 130d, an event indicated by an audible click. The control sash 22 can then be opened until a further click indicates that the tumbler has snapped against the web 130b below the lower shoulder 130), as is shown in Figure 8. If the control sash 22 is now closed, it will lift operating bar 130 and close the sashes in unison.

The unit of Figures 7 and 8 is adjusted when the stop 131 is used so that with the parts positioned as shown in Figure 8 all the sashes are brought to a tightly closed position. In other words, closing torque is developed on all the sashes and all seat snugly against their respective weather stripping (not shown). This can be done sincewith the stop 131 in place-it is never necessary to close the control sash beyond its normally closed position as it will pick up the control sashes upon opening movement from that position.

It will be noted that in the form of Figures l-6 the shoulders 30f are between windows 30d and face each other. In the form of Figures 78, shoulders 130f are likewise between the windows 130d but face the respective windows rather than each other. It will be noted that in each case the axis of tumble of the tumbler 28m (or 128m, Figures 7-8) is held closer to the web 30b (13017, Figures 7-8) of the bar 30 (130, Figures 7-8) than the radial sweep of the tumbler, thus preventing tumble except when the tumbler extends into one of the windows.

While I have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. In particular, any desired form of stop may be provided so long as movement of the rider in relation to the bar is arrested at the desired point. Also, the stop may be positioned to limit upward motion of the rider in relation to the operating bar to limit the extent the control sash can be closed beyond the position of the controlled sash. I, therefore, intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications falling within 5 their true spirit and scope.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An operating mechanism for a window structure having a plurality of swingable sashes, the mechanism comprising in combination: a bar attached to a sash to open and close the same when shifted longitudinally; a rider mounted for longitudinal shifting movement along the bar and attached to a dilerent sash to shift lengthwise of the bar as said last mentioned sash swings in relation to the first mentioned sash; elements cooperatively associated with the rider and the bar and operable to connect the rider selectively to the bar for driving engagement in both directions; and a member removably attached to the bar to engage the rider independently of said elements as the rider moves to a predetermined position along the bar to limit the extent of movement of one sash in relation to the other.

2. An operating mechanism for a window structure having a plurality of swingable sashes, the mechanism comprising in combination: a bar attached to a sash to open the same in one direction of longitudinal movement and to close the same in the other direction of longitudinal movement; a rider mounted for shifting movement along the bar and attached to a diterent sash to move in said one direction as the rst mentioned sash opens and in the said other direction as the first mentioned sash closes; means connecting the rider to the bar to drive the bar from the rider upon predetermined movement in either direction from a neutral position of sash alignment; and a pin removably secured to the bar adjacent the rider when in said neutral position to limit the extent of movement of one sash in relation to the other in one direction.

3. In a window structure having a plurality of sashes, the improvement comprising: a lengthy bar connected to a sash and adapted to open and close the same upon longitudinal movement; a rider with conformations to engage the bar and slide thereon, the rider being connected to a diterent sash to open and close the same upon movement in the lengthy direction of the bar; a tumbler rockably carried by the rider for rotation about an axis spaced from the bar by a distance less than the radial sweep of the tumbler, the axis being substantially perpendicular to the length of the bar, the bar having a pair of longitudinally spaced windows adapted to receive the tumbler in erect position and having a button located between the windows to dene shoulder conformations facing the windows; means urging the tumbler against the bar; and means attached to the bar to engage the rider independently of the tumbler and move the bar in unison therewith as the rider moves in the sash opening direction in relation to the bar.

4. In a window structure having a plurality of sashes, the member comprising: a lengthy bar connected to a Sash and adapted to open and close the same upon longitudinal movement; a rider with conformations to engage the bar and slide thereon, the rider being connected to a different sash to open and close the same upon movement in the lengthy direction of the bar; a tumbler rockably carried by the rider for rotation about an axis spaced from the bar by a distance less than the radial sweep of the tumbler, the axis being substantially perpendicular to the length of the bar, the bar having a pair of longitudinally spaced windows adapted to receive the tumbler in erect position and having a button located between the windows to detine shoulder conformations facing the windows; means urging the tumbler against the bar; and hook means received in one of the windows and extending to interfering position in relation to the rider to engage the rider and move the bar in unison therewith as the rider moves in the sash-opening direction in relation to the bar.

5. An operating mechanism for a window structure having a plurality of swingable sashes, the mechanism comprising in combination: a bar attached to a sash to open and close the same when shifted longitudinally; a rider mounted for longitudinal shifting movement along the bar and attached to a different sash to shift lengthwise of the bar as said last mentioned sash swings in relation to the tirst mentioned sash; elements cooperatively associated with the rider and the bar and operable to connect the rider selectively for driving engagement in both directions in relation to the bar; and a pin threadedly received in the bar and in position for engagement with the rider to limit the motion of one sash in relation to the other in one direction while permitting selective pickup or disengagement as to the relative movement in the other direction.

6. An operating mechanism for a window structure having a plurality of swingable sashes, the mechanism comprising in combination: a bar attached to a sash to open and close the same when shifted longitudinally, the bar having a pair of spaced windows; a rider mounted for longitudinal shifting movement along the bar and attached to a different sash to shift lengthwise of the bar as said last mentioned sash swings in relation to the first mentioned sash; a tumbler mechanism carried by the rider and operable selectively to engage the bar to drive the bar from the rider; and a hook insertable in one of said windows and extending to a position of interference with the rider to cause the rider to drive the bar independently of the tumbler.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,232,297 Wiley Feb. 18, 1941 2,330,533 Wiley Sept. 28, 1943 2,639,474 Wiley May 26, 1953 

